5 arrested in deadly Russian bar fire

PERM, Russia, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The death toll from a fireworks-ignited blaze at a nightclub in the Russian city of Perm climbed above 100 people Saturday, local investigators said.

President Dmitry Medvedev, who said Monday would be a day of national mourning, blasted the club's management.

"They have no brains and no conscience," Medvedev said. "They showed complete indifference to what was going on ... . They must face full punishment."

Investigators told RIA Novosti 107 people had died of injuries from the 1 a.m. fire during a private party at the Lame Horse club in Perm.

Russian Health Minister Tatyana Golikova said dozens of other people were hospitalized, including victims with burns covering more than 50 percent of their bodies.

"Unfortunately, the burns are quite serious ... . There are 130 people in hospital, of whom 88 are in a serious condition. Of these, 59 have been put on medial ventilators," Golikova said.

The Russian news agency said two co-founders of the nightclub, the bar's manager, art director and the person who set off the fireworks had been detained for questioning. A six suspect, the leaseholder, was hospitalized in critical condition, RIA Novosti said.

Russian Investigation Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said Lame Horse owner Anatoly Zak and manager Svetlana Yefremova are accused of causing the loss of lives by breaching fire safety regulations.